Starter Cultures for Lactic Acid Fermentation of Sweet Pepper, Pattypan Squash and Tomatoes

The aim of this study was to obtain starter cultures for fermenting sweet pepper, pattypan squash and tomatoes, composed of the autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB), selected from spontaneously fermented vegetables of each particular species. Antibacterial activity of the LAB strains against eight test strains of pathogenic and undesirable in food bacteria, as well as good organoleptic quality of obtained fermented product were adopted as selection criteria. Thirteen isolated LAB strains were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis and Pediococcus pentosaceus. All strains revealed the inhibiting capability, limiting the growth of at least two test strains. Ten selected LAB strains were used as starter cultures. Sensory quality of the obtained products was at least equal to the product obtained as a result of spontaneous fermentation. Using the autochthonous LAB strains of high antibacterial activity seems to be the rational way of producing microbiologically-safe products, preserving the original, unique flavour of traditional, spontaneously fermented vegetables.